Films/DVD Asylum

Passion Fish

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rico

(A)

I stumbled onto this in my laserdisc collection looking for something else today. I had forgotten it. It's another John Sayles masterpiece, multi characters, no cliches, unusual plotting. etc. This one is far more linear than most Sayles films but definitely has the same depth and care he shows eleswhere.
Mary McDonnell plays a former Tv soap opera star crippled in a taxicab accident, and her paraplegia is cared for by Alfrie Woodard, who has problems of her own. In fact, every charcter here has a "background", but it's what is happening in the present that interests the director, as it does in all of his films.
One of the boldest things Sayles does is to treat subjects that could easily fall into the TV movie "disease of the week" cliche and yet avoid the cliches and produce a film that is rich and thought provoking. This one is moving, redemptive, and highly entertaining.

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Re: Passion Fish - Buckeye 20:30:37 04/11/04 (4)
Totally agree, Rico...and Sayles is a personal hero of mine. As a former recipient of a MacArthur "genius award" and a very talented guy, Sayles could have taken several paths to riches and fame...instead he chose to do films his own way, and I greatly admire that.
I recently read a few of his books...Pride of the Bimbos and Union Dues... JS is a very fine novelist...and I'm now looking for his book of short stories.
BTW, whatever happened to Mary McD? She was hot for awhile, doing Dances with Costner, Grand Canyon, and a silly TV series...than nothing I've seen for some time...I'll have to check her out at imdb.
FWIW, I posted last week about those European actresses that seemed to have the "X" factor...I forgot about Mary!
Along the same lines, I watched House of Sand and Fog this w/e, and also place Jen. Connelly on the "X factor" list as well...both ladies can act (JC is very strong in HOSAF), and both are very easy on the eyes...at least imo.
BTW-pt 2...something I always wanted to ask you...I've seen you mention an extensive collection of laser discs...did you purchase the bulk of your collection before or after dvds became available (and brought about so many used LDS)? I'm still buyin LDs myself, when I find a film I love at a great price, fwiw. Just curious...did you buy some LDs at original (expensive) prices? I've got about 100 of the "big discs"...which pales in comparison to your collection.
Thanks,
Gary
- I have only one criticism of John Sayles... - grinagog 03:30:04 04/12/04 (3)
  he hasn't made enough films! The Brother from Another Planet (on Laser Disc no less) is a favorite independent film, Sayles rocks!
  Grins
  - "Men with Guns" may be Sayles greatest (right after "Lone Star"). nt - tinear 07:01:51 04/12/04 (2)
    s
    - Re: "Sunshine State" - rico 08:16:26 04/12/04 (1)
      I believe this is Sayles' most recent and is available on DVD. I loved it. Typical Sayles: multi characters ands plots deftly dealt with.
      - Thanks for reminding me, I haven't seen it. But you're wrong. - tinear 15:01:49 04/12/04 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: "Sunshine State" posted by rico on April 12, 2004 at 08:16:26:
        
        "Casa de los Babies," which I have to watch tonight, is his latest.

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